Lover of God, nature, wildlife, birds, gardening, photography, travel, simple living, health, pets and seeking a peaceful, healing lifestyle. Life has many hurts and sorrows but within "the [divine] nature in us" we CAN overcome.

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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Wisdom From God

by Donna L. Watkins

As humans we like to have something with flesh on to share our burdens and our souls, but ultimately God is our best friend and one who can allow us to see the good of any circumstance. Friends and family can offer comfort, but only The Comforter can touch and heal the hurts and wounds of our lives.

Christian friends are one of God's blessings, but we must keep God first. If we don't keep that balance sometimes God intervenes and we see the reality of human frailty when those we counted on can no longer stand. When God reduces your support, it's to give you a miraculous victory. It's to show how somebody who has lost everything can make a comeback through Christ. God helps to eliminate those who aren't fit for the battle. He also doesn't like to share the Glory.

Remember Gideon? God sends an angel to him and calls him a "mighty warrior." As Gideon looks about to see who the angel is talking to, he is told that God is going to use him to save Israel from the Midianites. He's so uncertain that he can possibly go through this trial and battle that he uses a fleece to ask God for a confirming sign. We don't always get signs but if we listen closely to our hearts we will be aware that within us is a knowing of what God wants and what we can do with our faith in Him.

Gideon finally stepped forth in faith and gathers the men for battle at Mount Gilead. God tells Gideon that 32,000 men are too many and tells Gideon to send home those who are fearful. That cut the warriors down to 10,000 which I'm sure wasn't giving Gideon any comfort, but before he can ponder that for long, God tells him there are still too many.

God now separates the remaining men by having Gideon observe how the men drink water from a stream. Gideon is to use only those who drink by scooping the water into their hands first rather than drinking directly from the stream. In the end a group of only 300 remains. Gideon is encouraged by God when he overhears two Midianites discussing a dream, so Gideon returns to the camp with obvious wisdom and creativity from the Lord. When we listen up, we gain amazing insight.

Gideon gave each of his men a trumpet and a clay jar with a torch inside. He then divided the group into three companies and marched on the enemy camp. The account is an amazing victory which was gained because Gideon chose faith over fear and sought to obey God's will. Here's the Bible's account of the battle:

"Watch me," he told them. "Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, 'For the Lord and for Gideon.' " The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, "A sword for the Lord and Gideon!" While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled. When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. (Judges 7:17-22, NIV Bible)

Ultimately the men never fought. What an amazing thing faith can accomplish. God's Word gives us many stories to build our faith and many promises that come from being faith full. God will never leave you empty if you block out a segment of time for Him. We can't learn faith by being on the run. In the end, I believe it takes less time to spend hours with God than to try to live life depending on others to give us direction or to bounce about trying every idea that comes to mind. Wisdom is available if we stop, sit and seek.

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All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins, but may be used with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNature InUs.com. Articles written by Donna L. Watkins can be reprinted with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com.

Quotes

God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures. -- Francis Bacon

"I've spent too long waiting for what's been taken from me, rather than enjoying what's been given to me." Unknown

“In God’s wilderness lies the hope of the world – the great fresh, unblighted, unredeemed wilderness. The galling harness of civilization drops off, and the wounds heal ere we are aware.” -- John Muir

"Faith is the bird that senses the light and sings while dawn is still dark." -- Rabindranath Tagore

"To know something about trees--about even one tree--is to know something profound about the nature of the world and our place in it." -- Gerald Jonas"I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out that there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is." -- Albert CamusLike winds and sunsets, wild things were taken for granted until progress began to do away with them. Now we face the question whether a still higher "standard of living" is worth its cost in things natural, wild and free. For us the minority, the opportunity to see geese is more important than television, and the chance to find a pasque-flower is a right as inalienable as free speech. -- Aldo Leopold (1886-1948)

"It is clear that there is one main message creation has to communicate to human beings, namely, the glory of God. Not primarily the glory of creation, but the glory of God. The glory of creation and the glory of God are as different as the love poem and the love, the painting and the landscape, the ring and the marriage. It would be a great folly and a great tragedy if a man loved his wedding band more than he loved his bride." -- John Piper

"We will do better in all aspects of life if we learn to "let go" of all we hold so tightly to and realize that control is a myth and striving for it is insanity." -- Donna L. Watkins